If you remember the Philly local music scene as far back as the late Seventies, chances are you’ll remember a band called Fun City. The band was Conshohocken native Alice Cohen’s musical lead in to the New Wave synthpop group The Vels, who landed a major label record deal in the early Eighties. The Vels featured Alice (as Alice DeSoto), along with Chris Larkin (who sadly passed away in 2007) and Charles Hanson. They were fixtures on the Philly local scene back in the early 80’s and played legendary venues like the Love Club and Grendal’s Lair with regularity. The Vels released two albums for on Mercury Records before they disbanded in 1987. Soon after the band split, Alice left Philly and moved to Brooklyn, where she currently resides. Since her move to NYC, Cohen has been in various bands including Die Monster Die, and she’s become an accomplished visual artist and video producer. In February of this year Cohen released Wild Vines And Tenement Shrines. On June 12th she releases a new album, Pink Keys, on the Olde English Spelling Bee label and Alice’s own label Crinoline Records. Below, you can stream and watch the video for “Cascading Keys.” We’ve also added some videos from back in The Vels’ days for a little historical perspective.

About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH

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About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH